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screen printing => General Screen Printing => Topic started by: RICK STEFANICK on May 13, 2019, 04:25:34 PM

Title: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: RICK STEFANICK on May 13, 2019, 04:25:34 PM
We recently switched after testing several. We went with Chromaline DTS Z1. The resolution is excellent.
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: dirkdiggler on May 13, 2019, 04:28:25 PM
 is it water resistant and discharge?  What color is it?
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: RICK STEFANICK on May 13, 2019, 04:35:33 PM
is it water resistant and discharge?  What color is it?
yes and yes r lt brownish
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: dirkdiggler on May 13, 2019, 04:42:04 PM
no thanks!  I hate brown emulsion, why do they do that?  Blue or Pink!
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: RICK STEFANICK on May 13, 2019, 06:59:09 PM
no thanks!  I hate brown emulsion, why do they do that?  Blue or Pink!

I base my choice on resolution, durability, exposure time and lastly and less important price. But color is not one i thought of. Thanks
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: Nation03 on May 13, 2019, 07:05:16 PM
Ulano Orange has been what I use most consistently. Only down side is my films like to stick to it when it gets warmer out. I tried some cordless dehumidifier in the screen room last week and it's cut down on the tackiness but still get the occasional trashed film on the lower S-Threads
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: Doug S on May 13, 2019, 07:47:56 PM
We use murakami t9 here.  The resolution is superb.
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: mk162 on May 13, 2019, 10:23:41 PM
t9.  it's great stuff.

Speaking of emulsion color, we have never had a green emulsion that works, sounds strange, but no matter what we do, it's always a problem.
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: Homer on May 14, 2019, 06:08:54 AM
CCI HXT w/4oz diazo, dts with starlight.
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: Doug B on May 14, 2019, 06:42:12 AM
  Ulano RLX. I am now doing mostly solvent inks and I have excellent durability and fine detail.
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: Pangea on May 14, 2019, 09:39:55 AM
Saati PHU for WB/DC. I've also have had issues with green emulsions which is a pain because we have to order it separate from a different supplier.
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: ericheartsu on May 14, 2019, 10:01:19 AM
Saati PHU for WB/DC. I've also have had issues with green emulsions which is a pain because we have to order it separate from a different supplier.

we just switched to Saati PHU HR, and it's pretty awesome.
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: kirkwad on May 14, 2019, 10:17:05 AM
Using Saati Grafic PS for our main, Saati PHU 2 for Waterbased/Solvent.
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: rusty on May 14, 2019, 10:38:34 AM
I've been using the chromalime with fine results.

It's nice and green.

will be looking into others as we start venturing into WB and discharge

Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: Maxie on May 14, 2019, 11:08:14 AM
I've been using Saati PHU for 3 years with a Saati 300W LED lamp.
Love it.
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: RICK STEFANICK on May 14, 2019, 12:57:25 PM
Ulano Orange has been what I use most consistently. Only down side is my films like to stick to it when it gets warmer out. I tried some cordless dehumidifier in the screen room last week and it's cut down on the tackiness but still get the occasional trashed film on the lower S-Threads

That is a very high solids emulsion. I could just never really get the resolution I needed with it. Chroma blue is alternative to the ulano orange.
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: BP on May 14, 2019, 01:50:49 PM
Rick, maybe your times are off a bit? I have be using Orange for years because of the EOM. We do a lot of sim process at 75 LPI/300-S mesh.

Remember that single cure emulsion not the best for fine resolution but can work if you exposure time are spot on.
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: RICK STEFANICK on May 14, 2019, 01:58:35 PM
Rick, maybe your times are off a bit? I have be using Orange for years because of the EOM. We do a lot of sim process at 75 LPI/300-S mesh.

Remember that single cure emulsion not the best for fine resolution but can work if you exposure time are spot on.
[/quote

You know you may be right. we didn't test that one this round.. Thanks for pointing that out I will get some today and let the ladies give it a whirl,
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: Nation03 on May 14, 2019, 08:54:33 PM
I've get some pretty great detail with the Orange which is why I keep coming back to it. I was using an Amergraph 150 for years before it crapped out and it was a great combo. Now I'm on my backup UV unit and the detail isn't quite as good but still not bad for Florescent bulbs.
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: mooseman on May 16, 2019, 09:31:54 AM
Ulano Orange has been what I use most consistently. Only down side is my films like to stick to it when it gets warmer out. I tried some cordless dehumidifier in the screen room last week and it's cut down on the tackiness but still get the occasional trashed film on the lower S-Threads

That is a constant problem with orange and waterproof film. We solve that by simply dusting the screen wit baby powder. Be sure to use the cheaper talc as the corn starch better quality powder will only make the condition worse.
mooseman
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: Atownsend on May 16, 2019, 09:55:00 AM
Baby powder worked for us. Since we switched to the Olec and vacuum frame we haven't had the need regardless of humidity. Not having heat on the glass from an enclosed unit is great. That exposure setup is still one of the best things i've ever bought. Running about 4 -5 gallons of ulna orange / month. About 100 screens / gallon according to latest data. We do mostly spot, so I like the high solids. Hard to coat thin on 280/35s but we still manage to hold pretty decent dots @ 55 LPI. Anyone ever mix in diazo with the Orange for better res?

Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: 3Deep on May 16, 2019, 10:18:44 AM
Homer got me hooked on HXT and I've been using it now for years, if not HXT my next would be a dual cure Imagemate 521, that stuff is pretty good, just burn times are a little longer but well worth it.   
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: RICK STEFANICK on May 16, 2019, 10:44:18 AM
Homer got me hooked on HXT and I've using it now for years, if not HXT my next would be a dual cure Imagemate 521, that stuff is pretty good, just burn times are a little longer but well worth it.
[/quote

Actually the image mate 521 is the predecessor of the DTS Z1. Chromaline does still make it but the formulation of the z1 was made considering the LED units . The 2 products are very very similar.
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: tonypep on May 16, 2019, 10:54:15 AM
Chroma blue is a great emulsion if you are DTS/LED. Holds more detail than you can imagine and exposes in two to three seconds
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: RICK STEFANICK on May 16, 2019, 11:52:30 AM
Chroma blue is a great emulsion if you are DTS/LED. Holds more detail than you can imagine and exposes in two to three seconds

YEA,TP we tested it and I have used many many gallons of chroma blue. Unfortunatly it's not even in the ball game with the Z1 as far as resolution on the higher end graphics. Chroma blue is a super overall emulsion though
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: DannyGruninger on May 16, 2019, 03:20:06 PM
We use murakami t9 here w/ diazo........ We've been doing some 7500 + pcs runs and no breakdown. All we run is wb here about 95% hsa

Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: RICK STEFANICK on May 17, 2019, 02:54:29 PM
We use murakami t9 here w/ diazo........ We've been doing some 7500 + pcs runs and no breakdown. All we run is wb here about 95% hsa

wow  I will sample that one. It has been mentioned by others also
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: Colin on May 17, 2019, 07:44:18 PM
Rick,

The addition of Diazo to any water resistant emulsion like T9 (which I love btw) or PHU and all its variants is what helps to give it that massive longevity.

In addition Danny has so many of his processes, especially the dark room, down to an absolute science.

Making sure everything is done properly and correctly up front the first time, your stencil durability increases tremendously.
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: CBCB on May 20, 2019, 08:46:20 AM
Rick,

The addition of Diazo to any water resistant emulsion like T9 (which I love btw) or PHU and all its variants is what helps to give it that massive longevity.

In addition Danny has so many of his processes, especially the dark room, down to an absolute science.

Making sure everything is done properly and correctly up front the first time, your stencil durability increases tremendously.

This is how I understand it as well!

We are just about to switch from Ulano Orange to PHU+Diazo.

Why PHU? It’s freeze stable and we’re in Canada. Distribution seems better for us than MURAKAMI, and we have a Saati LED bulb in our ryonet exposure unit. So I think it’ll be a good fit.

Hoping to get our resolution up and to play with some more ink types.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: RICK STEFANICK on May 20, 2019, 09:50:43 AM
Rick,

The addition of Diazo to any water resistant emulsion like T9 (which I love btw) or PHU and all its variants is what helps to give it that massive longevity.

In addition Danny has so many of his processes, especially the dark room, down to an absolute science.

Making sure everything is done properly and correctly up front the first time, your stencil durability increases tremendously.
[/quote

Yea, I am aware of that and do like the dual cures and have used them for a long time. We are just testing to get the same resolution with shorter exposure times. The longevity on water base runs is not as critical at this point. We also have a pretty tight Pre press set-up but with 16 staff artists and a lot of different separation techniques we are just testing all options.
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: DannyGruninger on May 20, 2019, 03:45:23 PM
Rick, you should try t9 without diazo..... Its very fast overall and great resolution
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: RICK STEFANICK on May 20, 2019, 04:27:58 PM
Rick, you should try t9 without diazo..... Its very fast overall and great resolution

Thanks Danny, I have some coming in.
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: cbjamel on May 20, 2019, 10:42:45 PM
what the aprox exposure out with a msp-3140 with 2/1 coating sharp? i am at 200 ltu and getting this with s-mesh 156.
Shane(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190521/11451d7de5f8bb1a6dd31498e74da2ee.jpg)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: RICK STEFANICK on May 21, 2019, 11:13:37 AM
What emulsion are you using?  how new is your bulb?
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: cbjamel on May 21, 2019, 11:15:02 AM
t-9 emulsion, bulb might be a year old.
Shane

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: RICK STEFANICK on May 21, 2019, 11:18:13 AM
WITH DIAZO? I dont know that emulsion but I can give you a ball park. How long are you exposing now? 
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: cbjamel on May 21, 2019, 11:18:56 AM
no diazo.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: cbjamel on May 21, 2019, 11:19:18 AM
sorry 200 ltu.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: BP on May 21, 2019, 11:48:03 AM
If you have 2 hours, This will help with understanding emulsion.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMJqQgQQlzU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMJqQgQQlzU)
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: ABuffington on May 21, 2019, 11:54:10 AM
As mentioned in our emails Shane, coat S mesh with a 1:1 sharp.  S mesh coats a bit thicker and Murakami T9 has high viscosity as well.  Screen is definitely underexposed. Run a step test on this.  For a 3140 run a 10 step test using 20 seconds x 10 to achieve 20, 40, 60, 80, and so on up to 200 seconds.  We want to achieve both under exposure and over exposure in this test so that we can find a fully exposed panel.  I have emailed you a step test guide.  While it may take some time it has significant advantages.  It uses your film.  The opacity of your image is crucial to maximizing exposure.  If super transparent the light source can expose emulsion underneath the image and require underexposure to get an image.  Strong screens require full exposure, so check your film.  If film image is very opaque we can push times up to get a stronger screen.  Murakami T9 was designed to be strengthened with post exposure, but post exposure is a band aid if you underexpose and never reaches the strength of full exposure plus post exposure. 

The key to maximum strength:
1:1 to 1:2 sharp depending on mesh count and desired EOM.
Dry well in a hot box.  A dehumidifier for humid areas, in Denver today it is raining with a 32 degrees with 92% humidity.  You need a warm drying area and a dehumidifier if this were constant ambient weather conditions.  You can use a fan with a heater behind the fan to dry in these conditions, but if your room is cold with high humidity from the weather you may need space heaters in the room as well. A consistent temp of 72-80 and 35% humidity are the ideal conditions year round to create consistent screens.
Expose completely, not a little, but as long as you can without overexposing.  Emulsion needs light to cross link, the UV light from a good lamp for the right amount of time is essential.

Dry well after exposure with fan and heater and post expose for twice as long as your initial exposure. 

You can take shortcuts for plastisol, but for any waterbase inks you need to follow the above instructions.

Al
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: 1964GN on May 22, 2019, 06:54:36 AM
The t9 description says that no Diazo is required? We are a plastisol shop but are starting to do inline foil using matsui tfg 301 foil adhesive. We have a gallon of t9 and will be coating/testing later this week.
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: ABuffington on May 22, 2019, 11:17:16 AM
Murakami T9 can be used with or without diazo.  Diazo increases water resistance.  It isn't needed in an all plastisol shop with some waterbase printing.  The key is maximize exposure time, coat 1:1 sharp if you have LED or 1k lamps.

Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: RICK STEFANICK on May 22, 2019, 11:24:43 AM
Murakami T9 can be used with or without diazo.  Diazo increases water resistance.  It isn't needed in an all plastisol shop with some waterbase printing.  The key is maximize exposure time, coat 1:1 sharp if you have LED or 1k lamps.

Thank you
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: TCT on May 29, 2019, 12:43:45 PM
Am I the only one her using SP-1400??! We love the stuff. Had some breakdown problems a while ago but in the end just needed to add more exposure time. I have had a handful of people saying we should try the T9, but I feel like I was talked out of it for some reason? There was a period of time we would get a bunch of samples and I would entertain them, but it got to hard to try to run production jobs with new emulsion and having something go wrong or not having it dialed in right so we just stopped.

Looks like from this thread though we should give T9 another look?
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: cbjamel on May 29, 2019, 01:09:36 PM
Be aware t-9 freezes, i am looking at trying the sp-1400.

Shane
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: Squeegie on May 30, 2019, 04:04:27 PM
Been using Ulano QTX for decades.  Probably better products out there for less money but I have never had any issues with the QTX.
My numbers...156S yellow mesh coated 1-1 sharp edge...Nuarc 3140...waterproof films printed from an Epson 3000... exposure is 38 ltu.
Easy stencil wash out, excellent detail, excellent durability, easy reclaim.
All plastisol here.

Bill
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: 3Deep on May 30, 2019, 05:37:12 PM
What about HXT from CCI, Homer turned me on to it years ago been using since, also good for waterbase/discharge inks, if you add some diazo to it, I've use it with discharge without diazo on short runs just burn the screens a little longer
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: RICK STEFANICK on May 31, 2019, 02:18:55 PM
What about HXT from CCI, Homer turned me on to it years ago been using since, also good for waterbase/discharge inks, if you add some diazo to it, I've use it with discharge without diazo on short runs just burn the screens a little longer

We like CCI products.. We are going back in 2 weeks and retesting a bunch of emulsions. We found out we had lack of humidity in the screen room . The i image ink drying instantly. Screens washing out hard. The eco rinse  was at 50 percent pressure  on and on. with all that fixed we are going to retest
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: Orion on May 31, 2019, 02:49:11 PM
No one has mentioned Kiwo MultiTex. Pretty versatile too. From Kiwo: "MULTI-TEX is a high solids, fast exposing, pure photopolymer emulsion specially formulated for use with the newest textile inks including all plastisol, water-based, and discharge systems. It is optimized for use on the newest Computer-to-Screen imaging & LED exposing systems as well as conventional exposure systems.Viscosity: 10 mPas Solids content: 43%"
Title: Re: WHAT EMULSION ARE YOU USING?
Post by: StinkyDaddy on June 02, 2019, 04:29:34 PM
I used the Nazdar Imagestar version of QTX for years/decades then their ProTex. Switched to PHU a year or two ago and love it. I used to have trouble with film sticking to the screen but not with PHU. I print plastisol and waterbase with a fluorescent tube expo unit.